Fantom-Derived Synth Sounds + Expressive FX = One Amazing Keytar!

Let's face it: it's tough to connect with your audience when you're stuck behind a wall of workstations. That's why the keytar was invented: to make playing keyboards look as good as it sounds. With the Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer, the keytar is back in a big, bad way -- with a stellar internal sound engine derived from the Roland Fantom G, and a host of expression controls built right into the neck. And with six hours of battery power, you can now rock the stage unencumbered by MIDI cables or power adapters.

High-Quality Internal Sound Source

Roland's famous AX-1 and AX-7 keytars were MIDI controllers that produced no sound on their own. Keyboardists were required to bring racks of sound modules to make those now-discontinued instruments sing. But the AX-Synth is called a "shoulder synthesizer" for a reason: the 128-note polyphonic internal sound engine means you don't have to connect to external MIDI modules. The AX-Synth comes loaded with 264 high-quality tones designed to cut through the mix on your keyboard solos: analog-style leads, basses, polysynths, pads, synth guitars, squawking saxophones, and more. Organs, pianos, and clavs round out the selection, while Roland's four SuperNATURAL tones (Violin, Cello, Shakuhachi, Trombone) and four SPECIAL tones (Trumpet, Sax, Strings and Jazz Scat) make the most of the AX-Synth's expression controls.

Express Yourself: D-Beam, Ribbon Strip, and More

Expression controls make the AX-Synth's 264 tones come alive. Play solos with your right hand while you use your left to manipulate the touch-sensitive modulation bar on the AX-Synth's neck. Slide your finger left or right on the ribbon strip to bend pitch, or press the bar to add vibrato. Activate Bender Mode to bend a single note while leaving others unaffected. Press the portamento button to glide from pitch to pitch without clearly defined steps. Press the hold button to simulate a sustain pedal (or even plug in an optional footswitch). Wave your hand over the invisible D-Beam controller to change pitch or filter a sound's cutoff frequency to control brightness. Playing a bass part? You can shift the keyboard up to three octaves up or down in Octave Switch mode, or hold the octave + or - buttons to quickly play a few notes in a higher or lower octave before returning to the keyboard's normal pitch. And of course, you can transpose the AX-Synth to any key.

Extreme Playability

Since the whole point of a wearable keyboard is to sound good and look good, you certainly don't want an instrument that feels awkward. If you've never played a keyboard tipped vertically, you'll find it's very comfortable. Keyboardists report that the well-balanced AX-Synth is natural and easy to play, and that it takes only a few minutes to adapt to the keytarist point of view. The AX-Synth's 49-note, 4-octave, velocity-sensitive C to E keyboard is playable at many angles, like a guitar. Roland has even made traditional two-handed playing a genuine option, with four different places to attach the included strap. If you're a keyboardist with a horizontal board or two already, the Roland AX-Synth is a welcome addition to your rig. Try playing leads with your right hand on the AX-Synth while filling in a left-hand part on your usual board. When it's time to rock out on your keyboard solo, leave the rig behind and take your rightful place on center stage.

Advanced Tone Programming

The AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer is clearly a blast to play live, but what about in the studio? After all, if you're investing in a sweet keyboard, you expect some production capabilities. This is where the AX-Synth shines as a fully-fledged synthesizer -- off the shoulder. Plug in the included AC adapter, connect your AX-Synth's USB port to your Mac or PC, and run Roland's free editing software to modify and save all aspects of the internal tones to your liking. You can store your new settings in the AX-Synth for use on stage, and of course, you can use the board as a MIDI controller with your sequencer software or any other MIDI gear.

The Next Big Thing?

With the Roland AX-Synth's onboard sounds, expression controls, and eye-popping design, it's a small wonder that artists like Imogen Heap, the Black Eyed Peas, and even Lady Gaga are now strapping on keytars. It just may be time to give your old keyboard rig the cold shoulder. But watch out: this is one keyboard so stylish, your guitarist might want to switch instruments.

Roland AX-Synth Shoulder Synthesizer

Escape the keyboard rig and rock the stage with the Roland AX-Synth. Representing Roland's next generation of remote keyboards, the AX-Synth is the first of the legendary AX-Series to offer an onboard sound engine featuring a collection of the best of Roland's cutting-edge synth sounds.

All In One

Plug in and play -- what could be more convenient? The Roland AX-Synth has everything you need to steal the show. Unlike most remote synths of yesteryear, the AX-Synth is self-contained and loaded with hundreds of Roland's greatest sounds. External MIDI devices are not required. Everything is built-in and ready to rock.

Be a Control Freak

The Roland AX-Synth is packed with cool controllers for expressive live performance. Glide your fingers over the Ribbon Controller for ultra-smooth pitch bends. A Modulation Bar and dedicated control knobs are also provided for real-time sound shaping. Wave your hand over the invisible D Beam for attention-getting effects.

USB MIDI

While the Roland AX-Synth is completely self-contained, it's also capable of driving external instruments via MIDI. Plug into a MIDI device, and enjoy an unlimited world of sounds and textures, all controllable from the AX-Synth.

Custom Programming

The AX-Synth has a vault of great solo sounds onboard, but if you want to customize your sounds, you can download the dedicated PC software editor/librarian application. The AX-Synth's USB/MIDI connector makes communication to and from your computer fast and convenient.

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"Roland AX-Synth for Live Performances"

Sound:
The sounds do leave some to be desired. It would be nice to have an upload feature. I use primarly the piano and organ sounds, which I'm told sound well. However; I would like to see better Hammond sounds and control.
Feature:
Pro: Light and easy to play. Decent Sounds, all the controls you will need. Controls are layed out very well.
Cons:
The bright blue LED's are annoying and blinding in a low light environment. Roland really needs to backlight the instrument labels so you can see what you are selecting.
It eats batteries for lunch. Have many extras, and consider rechargeable Lithiums. With Lithiums, the battery percentage goes from 75% to dead in no time.
I recommend locking straps, however Roland for whatever reason did not make it where you can remove the strap buttons. www.lockitstraps.com has a solution
Sometimes your strap will fold over the keys and push the key down which can be annoying.
The new Roland Iphone Wireless App does not work with this keyboard. @#$%
Ease of Use:
It can't get any easier to play a keyboard than this. The keys feel like the ones on my Fantom series keyboard. The action is fairly quick and equal to that of my other boards. Nice and lightweight.
Quality:
Quality is Roland. Excellent.
Value:
Yes, price is decent for the product.
Manufacturer Support:
Roland has always had great service. I have not had any issues with this particular synth.
The Wow Factor:
Wow factor is 100. There are not too many keyboardists in the band market, but when you show up with a wearable, people come up to me all the time asking about it.
Overall:
Having the Roland AX-Synth now for almost a year, I have found this to be a godsend for playing open mics and last minute gigs. With my wireless system in the bag, I can literally have it in my trunk and be at a gig setup within minutes.

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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Effect Master's Dream!"

Sound:
The built in sounds could do with some work, ESPECIALLY the guitar tones; pressing any notes that aren't in a power chord form creates a TON of dissonance, but it's only a problem on the electric guitar channels. Some of the instrumental tones (i.e. violin and saxophone) are actually pretty good for a synth. The built in synth tones are pretty great, but if you have the money to buy this, you're probably investing in a nice midi box, which I would recommend in the highest if you want a lot of sound control. Output can be really low volume depending on what you're amping through. I recommend anything Roland or Peavy for that.
Feature:
AWESOME effect control, and is basically the the only reason to get this, and what a great reason it is! the touch pad is superbly sensitive, the modulation bar generally adds exactly what you're looking for, and the D-beam is unbelievably versatile. the program changes are pretty intuitive, so switching sounds and
Ease of Use:
There is a learning curve. There are a lot of effect available and not all of them are easy to find or access. the manual is pretty general stuff, so you really have to teach yourself how to make the effects work for your music. The sound editor is kind of a pain in the butt, but if you're well versed in that kind of thing, it's pretty good.
Quality:
Top notch quality, though as with all electronics, treat it with care. I HIGHLY recommend the SKB case for the Ax-Synth; it's really well built and solid, and makes travel really fast and painless.
Value:
REALLY EXPENSIVE. Kinda obvious. but if you know what you're doing, this is worth every penny EVER.
Manufacturer Support:
No need; gotta love Roland products!
The Wow Factor:
Very sexy compared to being stuck behind a keyboard rig, And it's a riot at shows if only for the novelty. It is a pretty instrument though, so you won't be let down in that respect.
Overall:
If you're going to buy this thing, buy it for the effects, the effects, the effects. the sheer volume of control you have over the sound is stunning, though the built in tones are sometimes below par.

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